In these days of eco-consciousness, animal-rights activism and ostentatious shows of largesse, fur looks anachronistic. But faux fur? That's another story.

The animal-friendly alternative is popping up everywhere in home interiors: as lining for ottomans; as cosy throws on furniture; stitched into sleek cushion covers; even in the upholstering of entire sofas.

Allure Furniture Designs' (allurefurnituredesigns.com; international shipping available) bean bags are super-comfy. They come in a range of animal-print patterns and are designed to replicate the look and feel of lynx and mink.

United States-based Donna Salyers (fabulousfurs.com; international shipping available), a maker of faux-fur coats for men and women, recently started offering rugs and throws, such as the velvet-lined ivory ruched throw (right). Salyers offers 150cm by 150cm voluminous throws that look and feel like real fur for just a few hundred US dollars. Other items include giraffe rugs, mink cushions and even leopard-print-fur wrapping paper.

Italian designer Rodolfo Rocchetti (tappezzeriarocchetti.com) has created a line of couches that not only perpetuate the faux-fur trend but throw in an animalistic flourish as well. A tiger-print fur couch has an imitation tiger head attached to one end, a tail on the other and legs carved to resemble paws. A two-headed black panther couch comes with a silver chain joining the heads and a curved-back cow-print couch has a happy bovine face affixed to each end.